Hawaii Safe Drinking Water Requirements for Renters

Every renter in Hawaii deserves access to safe, clean drinking water in their home. State and federal laws set strict standards for drinking water quality, and landlords in Hawaii have specific responsibilities to ensure their rental properties comply. This guide explains what safe drinking water means for renters, your rights under Hawaii law, and what steps to take if you believe your water isn't safe.

Understanding Safe Drinking Water Standards in Hawaii

Safe drinking water is water that meets federal and state standards for contaminants, ensuring it is free from harmful bacteria, chemicals, and other pollutants. In Hawaii, landlords must provide and maintain habitable rental units, which includes safe water for drinking, cooking, and bathing. These requirements come from both the federal Safe Drinking Water Act and Hawaii state law.

What Are Landlords Responsible For?

• Ensuring the plumbing and water systems provide water that is safe to drink under all circumstances.
• Addressing complaints of discoloration, odor, or taste in water promptly.
• Maintaining the rental so that all basic health and safety protections—including safe water—are provided at all times.

If your rental is served by a public water system, it's regulated and regularly tested by the Hawaii State Department of Health Safe Drinking Water Branch. Private wells or catchment systems must also comply with state safety rules.

What To Do If You Suspect Unsafe Water

Unusual smells, discoloration, or reports of contamination should be taken seriously. Here are the key steps to follow if you suspect your rental's drinking water isn’t safe:

• Notify your landlord in writing right away about the specific problem with your water (e.g., brown color, strong odor, unusual taste).
• If your landlord does not respond quickly, contact the Safe Drinking Water Branch for advice or investigation.
• Document all communications and photos for your records in case you need to file a complaint or request repairs.

Hawaii’s Habitability Standards and Drinking Water

Hawaii’s landlord-tenant law requires all rental properties to be "fit for human habitation". This means landlords must supply running water that is safe for drinking and household use. Failure to provide safe water may give renters the right to withhold rent, repair and deduct, or even terminate the lease in severe cases—but these steps must follow the process outlined in the state’s Residential Landlord-Tenant Code.

Key Legislation and Oversight Agencies

• The Hawaii Department of Health Safe Drinking Water Branch regulates water quality statewide.
• Hawaii’s Residential Landlord-Tenant Code (Hawaii Revised Statutes Chapter 521) protects your right to a habitable rental unit, including access to safe water.
• Rental disputes, including those over water safety, are handled by the Office of Consumer Protection - Landlord-Tenant Information Center.

Official Forms for Renters

• Notice to Landlord of Defective Condition (Recommended Format)
  When to use: Send when you need to notify your landlord in writing that your water is unsafe or plumbing is broken.
  Example: "Dear Landlord, on June 10th, my tap water became brown and smelled strongly. Please inspect and repair by June 15th."
  Download Hawaii Notice to Landlord of Defective Condition Form
• Landlord-Tenant Complaint Form
  When to use: If issues aren’t resolved, submit this form to the Office of Consumer Protection for mediation.
  Example: After your landlord hasn't fixed the water issue in 7 days, you file a complaint requesting state intervention.
  Download Landlord-Tenant Complaint Form

FAQs: Safe Drinking Water and Rental Rights in Hawaii

1. What if my rental’s tap water smells bad or looks discolored?
   Contact your landlord in writing immediately. If they don't fix the issue, reach out to the Hawaii Department of Health Safe Drinking Water Branch for testing and investigation.
2. Are landlords required to provide bottled water if the tap water is unsafe?
   Landlords must supply safe drinking water but don’t usually have to provide bottled water unless all tap water is unusable. If repairs take longer than a day or two, ask your landlord for temporary alternatives.
3. Can I use the repair and deduct method if my landlord doesn’t fix unsafe water?
   Yes, under certain circumstances, but you must follow the steps in Hawaii's landlord-tenant law. Always provide written notice first and allow reasonable time for a fix before arranging repairs yourself.
4. Who do I contact if my landlord won’t respond about water safety?
   After written notice and a reasonable wait, file a complaint with the Office of Consumer Protection Landlord-Tenant Information Center and notify the Safe Drinking Water Branch.
5. Is well or catchment water covered by the same standards?
   Yes, private water systems must also meet Hawaii’s health and safety rules. Landlords are responsible for maintaining these systems.

Conclusion

• Renters in Hawaii have the right to safe, clean drinking water at all times.
• Landlords are responsible for quickly fixing any water quality problems.
• If issues go unresolved, renters should use official forms and contact state agencies for help.

Take action promptly to protect your health and ensure you’re living in a safe environment.

Need Help? Resources for Renters

• Hawaii State Department of Health Safe Drinking Water Branch — Questions about water safety and complaints
• Hawaii Office of Consumer Protection Landlord-Tenant Information Center — Filing complaints, landlord-tenant rights info
• Hawaii Landlord-Tenant Handbook — Full guide to tenant rights and repair processes

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1. Hawaii State Department of Health Safe Drinking Water Branch
2. EPA Safe Drinking Water Act
3. Hawaii Residential Landlord-Tenant Code (Hawaii Revised Statutes Chapter 521)
4. Notice to Landlord of Defective Condition
5. Landlord-Tenant Complaint Form

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